Many people avoid taking their own lunch and depend on the food available in the cafeteria for their meals. (Image: Shutterstock)
As lunch is considered one of the most important meals of the day, it is essential to give importance to it.
Why do most people still gain weight despite eating healthy, exercising regularly, and controlling their urges? While a little indulgence in junk foods won’t hurt much, there are certain habits that act as a big constraint on your journey to weight loss. Well, it’s not always the disruption in the above practices that leads to weight gain. Sometimes, the lunch and the habits associated with it can also affect the weight loss journey.
However, when too much attention is not paid to planning the lunch, it can severely affect the body, leading to an increase in weight. So, here’s a look at some unhealthy lunch habits that can ultimately lead to weight gain:
- Having an Unbalanced Lunch:In order to be consistent in the weight loss journey, it is important to plan the lunch well in advance. Apart from that, it is also important that the lunch be well balanced and have a balance of fibre, carbohydrates, and protein in the afternoon meal. This will also help in keeping the energy levels intact. However, if someone doesn’t have a proper lunch, there is a high chance that they might feel hungry and reach out for a packet of munchies. This can eventually lead to weight gain.
- Skipping Lunch: People who skip lunch in order to lose weight will always find it difficult to gain essential nutrients from their food. They will also be eating more of their other meals, which will ultimately increase their weight. Apart from that, skipping meals can also slow down the metabolism process of the body, which burns less energy in the body, leading to weight gain.
- Adding Too Many Condiments: If you are someone who prefers to add a variety of sauces or dips along with your meal, then it can turn out to be a hindrance in the weight loss journey. Sauces and salad dressings, especially creamy ones and those with cheese as an ingredient, can easily exceed the daily calorie limit, resulting in increased weight.
- Eating When Starving: Many people have starved themselves, especially in the afternoon, to lose weight. But that is never the right option, as we tend to eat more than we would have if we’d eaten our lunch on time. This can imbalance the appetite and lead to weight gain.
- Relying on Outside Food During Lunch: Many people avoid taking their own lunch and depend on the food available in the cafeteria for their meals. Even though they are consuming them on time, outside food can lack nutrients. They might also be high in fats, additive chemicals, and excessive sugar, which can lead to weight gain.
